PLANS TO PROVIDE GO APE ADVENTURE COURSE BACKED BY BRIGG COUNCILLOR

Many people in the Brigg area will be very interested to learn about plans to provide will be the first Go Ape play facility for children and adults in North Lincolnshire to enjoy.
A Brigg councillor has welcomed the proposal, saying it would be "a major coup" to get one up and running.
It would provide dozens of new jobs.

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council has been in talks with top visitor attraction Go Ape about bringing the first Go Ape to the region at Normanby Hall Country Park  – that could be in place by April 2018. 
The move would create around 30 jobs and a top tourist destination for visitors.
Go Ape is a Tree Top Adventure course – a high ropes obstacle course with zip wires and rope swings with different levels of challenge. 
The nearest Go Ape is near Nottingham.
Normanby Hall Country Park is an award-winning venue that is popular among visitors. It received Royal approval when the Queen visited in 2002.
Go Ape is a multi-award winning provider of high rope adventures in the UK. They have established 30 sites in the UK and 17 in the USA, and celebrated their sixth millionth visitor in the UK in 2016.
Go Ape would be solely responsible for installing and operating the course and for all associated costs with the project – including installation, management and maintenance of the facilities.
Prior to submitting their planning application, Go Ape will undertake various ecological surveys and if any important habitats are found, they will amend their routes to avoid them.
Normanby Estate Company (landlord) supports sub-letting the land to Go Ape. 
The plans are subject to further discussion and planning approval.
Coun Carl Sherwood, from Brigg, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at North Lincolnshire Council (pictured), said:
“Having a Go Ape would be a major coup and would massively complement Normanby Hall country Park and put North Lincolnshire on the map.
“As part of the plans, there would be an improved café, toilets and visitor centre. Visitors would still have access to the grounds as they do now but having a Go Ape would be a major draw for visitors as the nearest one is near Nottingham.
“The move would bring jobs to the area, encourage more people to see how great North Lincolnshire is, and generate an annual income for the council to go towards delivering better services for our residents.
“Go Ape is very interested in coming to North Lincolnshire and I’m very excited at the prospect of having an internationally renowned visitor attraction on our doorstep here in North Lincolnshire. It will be fantastic.”
Ben Davies, Head of Business Development at Go Ape, said: “Go Ape is about encouraging people to live life adventurously and we are looking at bringing our Tree Top Adventure experience to North Lincolnshire, a unique experience of zip wires, swings and rope crossings.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity at Normanby Hall Country Park and hope we can bring a challenging, adventurous and fun activity to the heart of North Lincolnshire.”

NF ADDS...

Use this link to see what the existing Go Ape in Nottinghamshire offers...

The Tree Top Junior section has a 1m (3ft 3in) minimum junior height restriction (suggested ages 6-15).

Coun Carl Sherwood, whose remit includes sports and leisure, lives in Brigg and is a member of North Lincolnshire Council and Brigg Town Council, being a former Town Mayor.
It's a happy co-incidence that the Go Ape facility in Nottinghamshire is called Sherwood Pines!